FROM PROFILING TO ACTION: STRATEGIC PATHWAYS FOR ADDRESSING URBAN HARDCORE POVERTY IN KUALA LUMPUR
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.35631/IJLGC.1144003Keywords:
E-Kasih, Evidence-Based Governance, Policy Pathway, Urban Hardcore PovertyAbstract
Despite sustained national economic growth and a plethora of social safety nets, hardcore urban poverty remains an entrenched challenge in Malaysia’s metropolitan landscapes. This study critically examines the dynamics of urban deprivation in Kuala Lumpur using primary profiling data collected between 2024 and 2025, focusing on 194 households registered in the national eKasih system across the Batu, Titiwangsa, and Bandar Tun Razak constituencies. The research was executed through strategic collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Federal Territories, and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL). Moving beyond mere descriptive analysis, this paper seeks to bridge the gap between empirical data and actionable policy pathways. Our findings reveal a significant paradox: while many impoverished households possess latent economic productivity, their upward mobility is stifled by acute livelihood pressures, mismatched intervention designs, and systemic governance gaps. To address these challenges, the study proposes six evidence-based strategic interventions, ranging from differentiated empowerment models and integrated data governance to community-led implementation and formalized exit strategies. Ultimately, this research offers a robust, policy-oriented framework specifically tailored to navigate the complexities of poverty within high-density metropolitan environments.
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